This year I will turn fifty years old. This a milestone in my life. Some people dread turning fifty. The concept of a mid-life crisis is a cliche because many people really do freak out about getting older and some people make rash, major life changes when they realize that they are getting older.
If I choose to I could look at this time in my life as a cup-half-empty moment. Being done with more than half of my life, having my children out of the home and being labeled an empty-nester with time on my hands and menopause right around the corner, I could dive into a depression, run screaming through my house, and begin eating massive amounts of ice cream followed by a couple of bags of Mint Milanos to ease the pain of my reality. Come to think of it, I could also eat chips and salsa, a bag of M & M's and a box of Hostess cupcakes, but...I digress. Actually, I'm not feeling worried about turning fifty.
When I think back over my life I feel blessed. God has given me a beautiful family and wonderful friends. Most importantly, He drew me to Himself. I have a relationship with the God who created me. Believe me when I say it doesn't get any better than that.
The road in my rear view mirror is part of a journey that has included many hard lessons, many good times and plenty of hard work. I don't intend to dwell on what was in the past. I'm a little bit older and a little bit wiser now. Rather than looking back this year, I am going to look forward. I intend to celebrate and commemorate turning 50, not dread it.
How am I going to do this? This may sound crazy... By reading through the whole bible, blogging about my experience and claiming this as my own personal Year of Jubilee.
What's a Year of Jubilee? Well, I'm glad you asked...
The Proposal of Jubilee
Leviticus 25:11-12; Leviticus 25:13-17; 23-55
God proposed the idea of Jubilee in the the Mosaic Law. Every 50th year was a Year of Jubilee. That's right. Every 50th year was a year of celebration. The Jewish people in the Old Testament were commanded by God to have years of rest and restoration. As an agrarian people, the Lord commanded that the Jewish people allow the land to rest and lay fallow on every 7th year.
In addition to this regulation, every 50th year the Jews were to declare a Year of Jubilee. In this year all property would go back to the original owner, all debts on land were forgiven, any Israelite who had been sold into slavery due to debt would be freed from their obligation and released to go back to their own family and their original property. In addition to this, every person was to rest from working the land. Both the land and the people would rest from their labors.
Wow. What an amazing time for the whole community!
In addition to this regulation, every 50th year the Jews were to declare a Year of Jubilee. In this year all property would go back to the original owner, all debts on land were forgiven, any Israelite who had been sold into slavery due to debt would be freed from their obligation and released to go back to their own family and their original property. In addition to this, every person was to rest from working the land. Both the land and the people would rest from their labors.
Wow. What an amazing time for the whole community!
The Picture of Jubilee
Matthew 11:28-30; Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19
The Year of Jubilee is a symbolic representation of Christ. The New Testament book of Hebrews (Hebrews 10:1) says that the Old Testament Law is a shadow of Christ. The laws picture how Christ's life, death and resurrection would atone for the sins of mankind.
Because He fulfilled the whole Law while He was on earth, paid the penalty for our inability to fulfill the Law with His death, and then resurrected from the dead to give us new life, Christ is now our rest from the work of trying to please God with our behavior and He is our restoration to a right relationship with God.
The Promise and Practice of Jubilee
So why Jubilee?
Because for my 50th year on this planet, I intend to realize the rest, release, and reconciliation found only in Christ. I'm gonna read the whole Bible this year and get to know Christ even better. He is going to be my Jubilee this year.
God promised the Year of Jubilee not only to the ancient Israelites, but to you and me today.
I hope you will join me in claiming His promise and reading the whole Bible!
Please invite a friend or two to read with you this year. I look forward to spending time with you in the Word!
Blessings,
Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
Because He fulfilled the whole Law while He was on earth, paid the penalty for our inability to fulfill the Law with His death, and then resurrected from the dead to give us new life, Christ is now our rest from the work of trying to please God with our behavior and He is our restoration to a right relationship with God.
The Promise and Practice of Jubilee
So why Jubilee?
Because for my 50th year on this planet, I intend to realize the rest, release, and reconciliation found only in Christ. I'm gonna read the whole Bible this year and get to know Christ even better. He is going to be my Jubilee this year.
God promised the Year of Jubilee not only to the ancient Israelites, but to you and me today.
I hope you will join me in claiming His promise and reading the whole Bible!
Please invite a friend or two to read with you this year. I look forward to spending time with you in the Word!
Blessings,
Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
